Job Description

Legal Advocate

Less than 20 hours/week

$16/hour

GENERAL STATEMENT OF DUTIES: The major focus of this position is legal advocacy especially emergency intervention for victims of domestic violence in crisis. This includes assisting victims with protection orders and court accompaniment as well as explaining the judicial process with a focus on victims’ rights.

ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. Provides direct service, advocacy and peer support for victims of domestic violence. Schedule will be flexible, as needed.

2. Acts as a liaison with the criminal/civil justice system. Accompanies victims to court, police departments and other agencies as needed.

3. Assists victims with exploring various options available to them, goal setting and safety planning for themselves and their minor children.

4. Provides referrals and assistance, as needed, to other community agencies.

5. Assists with Victim Compensation information and forms.

6. Answers crisis line/ phones and keeps accurate records of such calls.

7. Keeps accurate records of peer support hours, case records and reports, etc. All information must be maintained in the files and entered in the data management system in a timely manner.

8. Assists with tracking and keeping accurate data on criminal /civil cases and their dispositions.

9. Attends monthly full staff meetings and legal advocate staff meetings. Participates in training and related professional activities, as guided by the Legal Supervisor.

10. Responds to email and voicemail in a timely manner.

11. Creates and maintains an atmosphere of support and assistance for all clients and staff.

12. Reports critical problems encountered during a work shift immediately to the Director/ Legal Advocate Supervisor.

13. Completes all of the above duties in a manner consistent with the program philosophy of Someplace Safe.

14. Other duties may develop within the course of events. The Director/ Legal Advocate Supervisor have the authority to assign tasks that are not presently covered, or delete tasks presently covered in this description.

15. Complies with agency policies and procedures, COA regulations, federal and state requirements, and educational/certification/registry requirements.

QUALIFICATIONS:

1. Knowledge of the dynamics of domestic violence preferred.

2. Ability to work in a stressful/crisis-oriented environment.

3. Knowledge of the civil/criminal court system.

4. Valid Ohio Driver’s License and ability to meet agency requirements for driving insurability.

5. Must be able to meet agency requirements for criminal background check (Ohio Bureau of Criminal Identification & Investigation).

6. Excellent organization and multi-tasking skills.

7. Ability to model open communication, fair and equitable treatment, and management of conflicts.

8. Ability to work as a team member.

9. Must have transportation and be willing to travel throughout the county to various courts as assigned.

Requirements

MINIMUM EDUCATIONAL/LICENSURE REQUIREMENTS: High School Diploma/GED required. Bachelor's Degree preferred in Human Services or Criminal Justice.

MINIMUM EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS: Experience in the field of domestic violence and/or crisis intervention helpful. Must have an Ohio Notary license or be willing/able to obtain same.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS Must be able to sit for extended periods of time. Other required physical demands include: oral expression, oral comprehension, speech clarity and speech recognition, hearing, and seeing. Ability to walk up and down stairs. Ability to hear and talk on the phone and/or face to face interaction required.